Laura Laird is a magazine collage artist originally from Riverdale, Maryland. She currently resides in Pasadena, Maryland with her husband, their son, their rescued sheltie mix named Penny, and rescued mini schnauzer/terrier mix named Sunshine. Laura holds an Associate of Arts degree in graphic design from Anne Arundel Community College. Her collage work has been shown in several juried exhibitions in the Mid-Atlantic region. She also offers local 3 hour collage classes throughout the year, and can be seen at art/craft shows in the MD/VA/DE/PA area.

A lifelong artist at heart, I've dabbled in various mediums through the years. However, it is with magazine collage that I feel I have finally found a unique voice. My style developed organically and effortlessly, which told me that I was on the right path.

The inspiration for my artwork most often comes from nature. Everything about the natural world—the sights, sounds, smells, and textures—stirs me to create. I am especially attracted to the sea. Through my collages, I am transported back to the calm gulf shores of Sanibel Island, the pink sands of Bermuda, the familiar waters of the Chesapeake Bay, and the many other coastal towns I have explored.

Having grown up near the Chesapeake Bay, and little more than 2 hours from the Atlantic Ocean, I have always felt a connection to the sea. That connection is reflected in many of my current collages. But I also love the vibrant autumn colors of the trees in New England, the desert landscapes of Arizona, and the rolling hills of West Virginia, so these vistas will all inspire future works.

Any successful collage begins with a well thought-out design concept. I enjoy the research and information gathering process almost as much as I do the actual hands-on creation of the piece. There has to be some aspect or element of a project that excites me. Once I am able to make that connection, everything just naturally flows from there.

A 16 x 20 inch collage usually takes 30–40+ hours to create, depending on the level of detail. First, I determine the subject for a piece, often using my original photographs as inspiration. After that, I do a pencil sketch on canvas board. The next step is to decide on a color palette, and start going through stacks of magazines to find the colors, shades, and patterns I need. Then I start cutting and gluing, overlapping and layering as I go. I always reach an exciting point in the process where the piece seems to take over and it guides me where to go.